“This is my gift.”
“Nah, that’s just a distraction. These are your gifts.”
Martín went first. He held out the silver tray, removing the lid with flair. Ricky saw that it contained an envelope. He couldn’t imagine why, but his nerves jangled. He opened the gift, and his jaw dropped.
“I’m not sure I understand,” he exclaimed.
“You are now the proud owner of Asiago. Or, whatever you choose to name it.”
“But…you can’t.”
“Oh, yeah, I can,” Darwin said smugly. He dropped the pitch of his voice and did a very bad Godfather imitation. “I made Berkhardt an offer he couldn’t refuse.”
Everyone cracked up, and after they’d settled down, Ricky turned to Darwin and asked, “Why?”
Darwin cupped Ricky’s cheek. “Because he fired the best waiter that the place had. And he treats his employees like crap. Asiago may have the finest reputation in town, but they have—well, had—a bully for an owner. I sat down with him and gave him an offer. His eyes bugged out, and he signed it over a few days later. Now the place is in your name. Make something wonderful out of it. If you need help, Louisa is still there. Though I did find out from Berkhardt that he’d intended to eliminate her. Something about her countermanding him once too often.”
Ricky laughed, despite the shock he felt. Who gave a restaurant as a gift?
“I suppose you can do that when you’re a billionaire,” he said, detecting a hint of bitterness in his tone.
“Wait. What? Oh, no. You don’t understand. You own the restaurant, but I’m giving it to you as sort of a pay-as-you-go kind of thing. You’ll find the payment plan and interest rates are very reasonable.”
Ricky reached up and pulled Darwin down on the couch. “Explain.”
“I know you well enough by now that no matter how much I wanted to give it to you, you’d feel you needed to earn it. And you will.” He paused for a moment. “I’m hoping that one day you’ll be able to accept a gift when I give it to you. But until you’re ready, we’ll figure it out. As for the restaurant, this is going to be a lot of work. I’m certain you’re up to the challenge, though.”
Tears pricked the corners of Ricky’s eyes. Darwin believed in him, and he’d always known it. But now? This? Ricky knew he could never have opened his own restaurant without help. He’d planned on talking to the bank, but with no collateral, no background beyond school, they’d have laughed at him. Darwin had handed him a golden opportunity to prove himself.
Tomás held out the second tray.
“I’m scared,” Ricky admitted. The man had given him a restaurant. What could possibly be left to give?
He took the cover from the tray and discovered a ring box. The enormity of what lay inside hit him hard. He opened it with shaky hands, to find a plain silver band inside.
“This isn’t an engagement ring,” Darwin told him hastily. “I want to wait on that until we’re both in a good spot. You’ll be really busy for a while, and I’m going to back you. For now, I guess you could call this a promise ring. It symbolizes my commitment to you now and in the future. Where we go, we’ll be together. We will never go to bed angry. We will work out our little problems so they won’t become big ones.
“We’ll continue to talk every day, about anything that affects our lives. Work, family, anything. I just want to hear from you. I can’t stand the thought of missing out on something important in your life.”
The lump in his throat threatened to choke Ricky. The look on Darwin’s face told him the entire story. He’d literally been handed a life on a silver platter, but he knew it would mean work for both of them. He held the ring out to Darwin, then gave him his hand. “Would you?”
Darwin smiled and slipped the band onto Ricky’s finger. “I will. Today, tomorrow, forever,” he swore.
Then they stood and, in front of friends and family, kissed.
Ricky’s mind whirled with thoughts. Even with Darwin claiming his mouth, Ricky grinned. He’d gotten everything he’d ever wanted out of life, but next year, it would be Ricky’s chance to return the favor.
~~ The End ~~
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About the Author
Parker Williams believes that true love exists, but it always comes with a price. No happily ever after can ever be had without work, sweat, and tears that come with melding lives together.
Living in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Parker held his job for nearly 28 years before he decided to retire and try new things. He enjoys his new life as a stay-at-home author and also working on Pride-Promotions, an LGBT author promotion service.
Connect with Parker on:
Twitter: @ParkerWAuthor
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/parker.williams.75641
Or you can visit his website: ParkerWilliamsAuthor.com
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